WMSE Picks of 2013

Maybe there are too many best-of lists by years’ end, but it must be said, that as far as Milwaukee music aficionados go, no group of people knows music, front-to-back, across all genres, than the DJs of WMSE. You see it on our weekly top airplay charts and hear it for yourself on your radios and through your headphones and computer speakers. WMSE DJs are volunteers because they love music, and it shows: each program is designed, per DJ, to introduce the listener to both old favorites and newly-becoming classics.

Already got a favorite WMSE DJ? Take a peek at what they liked this past year, then check out the rest. You might find your own tastes aligning with DJs whose shows you might not be familiar with. Here’s the best of the best from us, to you. Thanks for another great year of Frontier Radio.

Ludovico Einaudi, In a Time LapseAnything that Ludovico releases is beautiful; this is just one in a long line of exceptional piano CDs. You
can never go wrong with this artist. He could put out a CD of finger snapping and it would be captivating.

Cyberchump, Flutter and FlowThis, in my book, is the very best Cyberchump CD. I love the whole feel of this CD.

Marys Brother, Depression AlmanacLots to pick from on this CD from local Milwaukee musician. 20 tracks from ambient to electronica all with the quirky Marys Brother twist.

Ulrich Schnauss, A Long Way to FallThe latest – and I think the best – from this German electronica musician.

David Helpling and Jon Jenkins, FoundIt is the last in a trio of CDs created by this most dynamic duo. I adore their sound, from the lush ambient pieces to their signature hard driving, soul shaking percussion pieces.

Rich Mars
the first three Wednesdays, 6pm – 9pm / The City Rock Showgram

James Blake, Overgrown
Foxygen, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic
William Onyeabor, World Psychedelic Classics Vol. 5: Who Is William Onyeabor?
Kurt Vile, Wakin On a Pretty Daze
King Khan and the Shrines, Idle No More

Buddy Guy, Rhythm & Blues
Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Lickety Split
Barrelhouse Chuck & Kim Wilson’s Blues All Stars, Driftin From Town to Town
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Made Up Mind
James Hunter Six, Minute By Minute

Daft Punk, Random Access MemoriesThis was the album that was easiest to go back to again and again. Every track hits and will make you boogie in your seat when you listen to it.
Favorite track: “Lose Yourself to Dance”

Phosphorescent, MuchachoThis was the dark horse for me. It’s hard not to be drawn in from the enchanting sounds of the first track, “Sun, Arise!”. Soul-infused blues produced to take you on a mellow, harmonic journey.
Favorite track: “The Quotidian Beasts”

Earl Sweatshirt, DorisThe much-awaited second album was no disappointment from this OFWKTA member. His verses seem effortless despite maintaining crazy rhyme schemes. Earl definitely is one of my favorite emcees and a wordsmith worth checking out.
Favorite track: “Chum”

Young Fathers, Tape TwoSigned to Anticon and hailing from Edinburgh, this outfit melds together so many different sounds, it is difficult to attempt to categorize them. Some call it alternative hip hop while they describe themselves as a “psychedelic hip hop boy band”. Earlier in the year, they released Tape One; you want both of these.
Favorite track: “I Heard”

Ghostface Killah/Adrian Younge, Twelve Reasons To DieProduced by Adrian Younge, this album is as funky and soulful as anything RZA has done for Ghostface. Younge also masterfully produced an album for Delfonics which gave him a little material to start work with Ghostface. Features from fellow Wu-Tang member, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck and U-God help round out a vibe which has been heard before from these hip hop vets, yet they still somehow keep you locked.
Favorite track: “Rise of the Black Suits”

The Fatty Acids, Bolero
Sat. Nite Duets, Electric Manland
Fable & The World Flat, The Great Attractor
Faux Fir, Fashionable Life
Scallops Hotel, Poplar Grove (or how to rap with a hammer)
Kane Place Record Club, Kane Place Record Club
Like Like The The The Death, Cave Jenny
L&R, LandR
Kid Millions and the Sounds of Time, Kid Millions and the Sounds of Time
Hello Death, Hello Death

Craig Mertes
Tuesdays 6am – 9am / The Shape Of Rock

Myles Coyne and the Rusty Nickel Band, Take Things As They Come
The Hussy, Pagan Hiss
Hot Coffin, LAW
Whips, Year One
Hello Death, Hello Death

Fuzz, FuzzWe work late at the Factory screen-printing T’s and stuff. One Wednesday evening a DJ came on and played THE MOST FANTASTIC GARAGE SET. I was stoked. The DJ’s name was Jennifer. The station must have just put the CD out to air. She played a bunch of the disc. I bought the LP three days later. I saw Mr. Crawford’s mind BLOW as I aired “One”.

The Dirtbombs, Ooey Gooey Chewy KablooeyBuzz posted a photo of this on the Friendster and I was rabid. The DIRTBOMBS?!? A NEW LP?!? MICK COLLINS?!? But I was broke. I heard SO MANY DJs play tracks from this LP. I NEEDED IT NOW. Finally I was able to save up enough allowance and it was on my ‘table! This is a Concept Record? Well, if solid booty shakin’ is a CONCEPT, count me in!

Oblivians, DesperationUh. YEAH. This record RIPS.

The Spyrals, The SpyralsOkay. I’ll admit it. I don’t have the 2013 Spyrals LP. YET. But I do listen to Tom Wanderer’s set weekly. I also know that ACME does their best to keep it in stock. Their self-title 2012 release dropped my jaw, and if Tom says their new one is better…win!

Kid Congo and the Pink Monkeybirds, Haunted HeadZero Hour spun “Dance Me Swamply” and I was hooked. This album is creepycool. Kid Congo Powers is a musician worth investigating.

Queens of the Stone Age, Like Clockwork
Sugar Stems, Can’t Wait
Foxygen, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic
Delphines, Fear
Hello Death, Hello Death

The Good John
WMSE DJ sub / The Chicken Shack + The Rock Ride

Doghouse Flowers, Chasing the Sun
Sturgill Simpson, High Top Mountain
Ten Foot Polecats, Undertow
Fifth On the Floor, Ashes & Angels
Left Lane Cruiser, Rock Them Back To Hell
The Tillers, Hand On the Plow
John Paul Keith, Memphis Circa 3AM
Eric Strickland & The B Sides, I’m Bad For You
I Lick Any Sonofab**** In The House, Mayberry
Son Volt, Honky Tonk

Jon Blick
Thursdays, 12am – 3am / Overnight Sensations

AciD, AciD

Myles Coyne and the Rusty Nickel BandFriendliest record of the year, if there is such a thing. If only all those ‘neo-folk-rock’ bands were this much fun. Catch them at a club around town, if you get a chance.

The 57s, 3 Of SwordsPowerful, rocking debut EP from Milwaukee garage popsters. I hope there is more to come, soon.

Jake Bugg, Jake Bugg + Shangri-LaDo we still have “new Dylans”? These albums remind me of the old Dylan’s best 60s work.

Superchunk, I Hate MusicThis band is on a roll. A rockin’ roll.

Honorable mentions:

Calliope, Calliope
David Bowie, The Next Day
Purgatory Hill, Invisible Pilots
Buffalo Gospel, We Can Be Horses
Jim Jones Revue, The Savage Heart
Crocodiles, Crimes Of Passion
Those Darlins, Blur the Line
Lee Renaldo & The Dust, Last Night On Earth
Dinny Bulca, Ladies & Gentlemen

Cian Nugent & The Cosmos, Born With the Caul
Chris Forsyth, Solar Motel
Idassane Wallet and Mohammed Issawat, Sahel Sounds
Mind Over Mirrors, When The Rest Are Up At Four
William Tyler, Impossible Truth

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Push the Sky Away
Chance the Rapper, Acid Rain
Neko Case, The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You
Daft Punk, Random Access Memories
Janelle Monae, The Electric Lady

Grantalternating Mondays, 6am – 9am / The Happy Monday Show

Tegan and Sara, Heartthrob
Neko Case, The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You
Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires In the City
Low, The Invisible Way
Paul Cebar, Fine Rude Thing

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